The long-anticipated day of the examination had finally arrived.
Eila woke before the first light of dawn, her heart already fluttering with nerves. Sleep had evaded her for most of the night, and now that morning had come, the weight of expectation pressed heavily on her chest.
Despite the biting chill of the early hour, she didn't hesitate to take a cold bath, hoping it would shake off the tension clinging to her bones. Shivering slightly, she quickly dressed and made breakfast for everyone in the house. Her hands moved by itself—cracking eggs, slicing fruit, brewing tea—while her mind spun with formulas, theories, and memorized texts.
She forced herself to eat, even though every bite felt like lead in her stomach. An omelette, some fruit, and a steaming cup of tea—that would have to be enough to fuel her through what was surely going to be an exhausting day. Her appetite had long vanished, overtaken by anxious thoughts, but she knew better than to skip a meal before such a crucial event.
When it was finally time to leave, she stepped outside and called for a carriage. Though she usually walked to most places, today she wanted to conserve her energy for the real trials ahead. She negotiated with the coachman who tried to charge her extra for the trip to the East Wing. After a bit of back and forth, he settled for three copper coins. Eila didn't argue further—every second counted.
As she climbed into the carriage, her thoughts drifted back to her studies. She began mentally revising everything she could remember—her lips moved silently, forming definitions and rules. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as she reviewed again and again until—
Knock! Knock!
The coachman's abrupt knock startled her back to the present. They had arrived.
She stepped down from the carriage gracefully and handed over the agreed payment. The coachman gave her a curt nod before turning his carriage away.
Eila stood still for a moment, facing the towering structure of the East Wing. Once a bustling warrior training center, today it loomed before her as the official examination venue for Moonshine University's written and physical trials.
The ancient building looked more like a fortress—its thick stone walls glinted faintly under the rising sun, proud and imposing.
Drawing a deep breath, Eila squared her shoulders.
She had studied every subject, reviewed every detail, and honed every skill she could. She had prepared herself to the best of her abilities.
Now, it was time to prove it.
She was ready to face the day.